Welcome OneDay - love your name! I live in hope of that as well...
I have a high need DD, also 7 months. She's absolutely lovely but hard, hard work - has been since birth. She suffered from terrible colic until 3 months and still struggles with reflux. Has cow's milk protein allergy as well. Fortunately, breast feeding has gone well, and she's thriving despite all these gastric issues.
She's much improved since the early days - a giggly, vocal, social, happy and super inquisitive girl - a far cry from the howling, purple ball of distress she once was. She still likes a bit of time in the sling (I have an ergo and a babyhawk mei tai - both great) but at 17lbs she's getting too heavy for me to carry for long periods of time. She settles well for naps in her pushchair or nursing, but her night time sleep record is 3 hours. And that's on a good night! We often have hourly wake-ups, though she'll often settle with a cuddle and is going longer between her night feeds now. I survive by nursing in bed and co-sleeping for about half the night - that, and having a very, very helpful and loving DH.
You'll find lots of support here, it's a great thread with lovely ladies!
Have you read The Fussy Baby Book by Dr Sears? Very helpful and insightful, that one.
Joyful I will not kick you up the bum, but will send un-mn hugs your way. And some empathy...it's hard, isn't it? I have those feelings from time to time as I think DD will probably be my only child. I'm kind of half at peace with that, and half not. Is another definitely out of the question for you? Have you had your MRI? My uncle recently had fusion surgery and it was life-changing. You're early 30's if I remember, yes? Would you mind a larger age gap between your 2nd and 3rd, say if in a few years you were able to get some help for your back and were feeling stronger?
Hello to everyone else too! Sorry, I'm too tired to catch up. Hope you're all hanging in there!